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It might be time for coaches and administrators at all levels to slap a huge warning label on the game of football. Just in time for the Super Bowl, the New Yorker’s Ben McGrath wrote a lengthy article in the Jan. 31 issue on concussions in the NFL. In the story, McGrath quoted Chris Nowinski […]
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The 49ers continued to fill out their scouting department and coaching staff with the additions of tight ends coach Reggie Davis, and defensive assistant/quality control coach Peter Hansen. The team also promoted Tom Gamble to replace Trent Baalke as the director of player personnel, the job held by Baalke before his promotion to general manager. […]
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The NFL has told teams they can use the franchise tag on potential free agents Feb. 10. Never mind that they have no CBA in place when the current agreement expires March 4. They are working with the assumption the new deal will include the franchise tags, so why not go ahead and tag them […]
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The 49ers will soon deploy many of their scouts to the college combine in Indianapolis; then they will re-assemble in Santa Clara for 17 days of intense discussions about prospects in preparation for April’s NFL draft. However, choosing the right strategy might be just as important as selecting the right players. Consider that for the […]
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For those wanting to watch draft-eligible players up close, you can do so on ESPN3.com. If you hit the football tap in the upper left part of the screen and then the NCAAF tap in the middle left part of the screen, the whole college season pops up. It’s wonderful for football and draft addicts. […]
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Here are some notes on Saturday’s Senior Bowl, with a focus on the positions the 49ers need to address in April’s draft. QUARTERBACK NFL network analyst Mike Myock said that the six quarterbacks who played in the game are a tightly bunched group, and true to his statement none of them distinguished themselves markedly from […]
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We’re not about 49ers football here. We can get swept up in other sports, including college baseball and that’s why we have a link to Save Cal Baseball. It’s one of five sports on the chopping block for Cal. They have raised $16 million, and the Cal administration says they need $25 million by Monday, […]
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After watching the six quarterbacks in the Senior Bowl practices this week, I wanted to check in on the quarterback who wasn’t there, Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert. He’s expected to be the first quarterback taken in the draft, and he might be there when the 49ers chose at no. 7 overall. ESPN3.com keeps games for 30 […]
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Yes, the 49ers must get a quarterback. But let’s not forget their need to get the quarterback, too. Introducing Von Miller, an undersized Texas A&M defensive end who projects as a top-10 pick as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. For those not there, he’s the one who knocked a 315-pound offensive lineman off […]
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Here’s a look at some of the South players at Tuesday’s Senior Bowl practice in Mobile, starting with quarterback: Christian Ponder – Florida: Not a great arm, smart, West Coast quarterback. Ponder says his best attributes are intelligence, accuracy, and footwork. Student athlete of the year. 49 TD’s, 30 int’s in his career. He had […]
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Last week, new 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said a top-flight quarterback is as necessary to his offense as the very air he breaths. It would seem his former Bears teammate is starting to agree. Former 49ers coach Mike Singletary sat down with me (and other reporters, one at a time) Tuesday during a Senior Bowl […]
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The 49ers used to be a huge presence at the Senior Bowl. Under Mike Nolan, they coached the game twice. But this year, none of the team’s coaches will be in Mobile, which has shocked at least one coach from another team. The 49ers might be the only team in the league not to send […]
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NFL coaching veterans Sean Payton of the Saints and Ken Whisenhunt of the Cardinals are in the Senior Bowl house. So are first-timer coaches Jason Garrett of the Cowboys and Hue Jackson of the Raiders. Same goes for at least two defensive coordinators: ex-49ers DC Greg Manusky of the Chargers and ex-Raiders DC Rob Ryan […]
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Here at sfgate.com, we’ll do our best to cover the Senior Bowl. David White will be in Mobile, and Kevin Lynch will be watching the practices closely on NFL network. Meanwhile, here are some impressions from Sunday’s title games. 1. The NFL needs to adjust the rules on one of the most spectacular plays in […]
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Jim Harbaugh had lunch with those who cover the team regularly, and he dispensed a little news. Harbaugh confirmed that defensive line coach Jim Tomsula, running backs Tom Rathman and assistant offensive line coach Ray Brown will be retained. The team also hired former Browns coach Brad Seely as their special teams coordinator, replacing Kurt […]
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Jim Harbaugh coaches more like an offensive linemen than a 15-year NFL quarterback and that’s likely to continue as he takes the helm of the 49ers. Harbaugh, along with new offensive coordinator Greg Roman will also be completely run orientated based on Roman’s background and Stanford’s recent history. Roman’s background has been varied, including a […]
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UPDATE: The 49ers have confirmed what was previously announced on an outside Twitter account, an out-of-state newspaper website and — yes — even a good old fashioned Raiders press conference. The 49ers hired Broncos secondary coach Ed Donatell to the same position; former South Florida coach Jim Leavitt to coach the linebackers; and Panthers tight […]
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A note from The Chronicle Sports Desk: Former 49ers coach Mike Singletary said on the radio today that he is joining the coach staff of Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier. He said he’ll be the “linebackers coach/assistant head coach.” Frazier, who took over as Minnesota’s coach when Brad Childress was fired, was a teammate of […]
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This weekend’s divisional playoff round reflected poorly on the legacy of former 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan. The most glaring example was the play of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a player McCloughan scouted as being second to Alex Smith in the 2005 draft. Rodgers is now on his way to being the league’s best quarterback, […]
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As you’ve read on Twitter, the 49ers have finally secured Stanford defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to run their 3-4 defense (first reported by Matt Maiocco on CSNBA, and needlessly confirmed by my team sources). Fangio is a fourth-time NFL defensive coordinator, but he isn’t alone in that experience department. The 49ers have also landed Broncos […]
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New 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh just lured his first prized assistant from Stanford over to Santa Clara, hiring Greg Roman as his offensive coordinator. The hire was first reported by the San Jose Mercury News and, though not yet announced by the team, has been confirmed by a team source. So when does Stanford defensive […]
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Word is new coach Jim Harbaugh will leave the defense alone, particularly if he can get his experienced former NFL coordinator, Vic Fangio, to follow him from Stanford. The scheme will likely stay as a 3-4, and all Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke need to do is concentrate on the difficult task of acquiring […]
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